The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 eBook

SECTION CLXIII

“Sanjaya said, ’O monarch, provoking Arjuna
still further who was like a snake of virulent poison,
by means of those wordy strokes of his Uluka once
more repeated the words he had once spoken. The
Pandavas had before such repetition, been sufficiently
provoked, but hearing these words (a second time)
and receiving those censures through the gambler’s
son, they were provoked beyond endurance. They
all stood up, and began to stretch their arms.
And looking like enraged snakes of virulent poison,
they began to cast their eyes on one another.
And Bhimasena, with face downwards, and breathing
heavily like a snake, began to glance obliquely at
Kesava, directing the blood-red corners of his eyes
towards him. And beholding the Wind-god’s
son to be greatly afflicted and extremely provoked
with rage, he of Dasarha’s race smilingly addressed
the gambler’s son and said, ’Depart hence
without a moment’s delay. O gambler’s
son, and say unto Suyodhana these words, viz.,—­Thy
words have been heard and sense understood. Let
that take place which thou desirest.’
Having said this, O best of monarchs, the mighty-armed
Kesava looked once more at Yudhishthira endued with
great wisdom. Then in the midst and presence
of all the Srinjayas, of Krishna possessed of great
fame, of Drupada with his sons, of Virata, and all
the kings (there assembled), Uluka once more repeated
unto Arjuna the words he had said, provoking him still
further thereby, like one annoying wrathful snake of
virulent poison by means of a stake. And he also
said unto all of them, viz.,—­Krishna
and others, those words that Duryodhana had instructed
him to say. And hearing those harsh and highly
disagreeable words uttered by Uluka, Partha was greatly
excited and wiped the sweat off his forehead.
And beholding Partha, O king, in that condition, that
assembly of monarchs could not bear it at all.
And at that insult to Krishna and the high-souled
Partha, the car-warriors of the Pandavas were greatly
agitated. Though endued with great steadiness
of mind, those tigers among men began to burn with
anger. And Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin and that
mighty car-warrior, Satyaki, and the five Kekaya brothers,
and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, the sons of Draupadi,
and Abhimanyu, and king Dhrishtaketu, and Bhimasena,
endued with great prowess, and those mighty car-warriors—­the
twins,—­jumped up from their seats, their
eyes red with anger, tossing their handsome arms decked
with red sandal-paste and ornaments of gold.
Then Vrikodara, the son of Kunti, understanding their
gestures and hearts, sprang up from his seat.
And gnashing his teeth, and licking with his tongue
the corners of his mouth, and burning with rage, and
squeezing his hands and turning his eyes fiercely,
said these words unto Uluka, Ignorant fool, thy words
have now been heard which Duryodhana said unto thee
for the object of provoking us as if we were a set